北朝鮮威嚇外交 「核攻撃」予告は度が過ぎる

[The Yomiuri Shimbun] April 3, 2013
Editorial / North Korea will gain nothing from its nuclear intimidation
北朝鮮威嚇外交　「核攻撃」予告は度が過ぎる（4月2日付・読売社説）

North Korea's decision to boost its nuclear capability is a blatant provocation made in defiance of a U.N. Security Council resolution, which prohibits Pyongyang from conducting further nuclear tests or ballistic missile launches.
　核戦力の強化方針は、核実験や弾道ミサイル発射のさらなる実施を禁じた国連安全保障理事会決議への露骨な挑発だ。

The international community needs to answer this provocation by strengthening sanctions against North Korea.
　国際社会は、北朝鮮への制裁を一層徹底するなど、対応を強める必要がある。

At a general meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the party's first secretary, Kim Jong Un, unveiled a new strategic policy aimed at boosting its nuclear capability both in quality and quantity, along with economic reconstruction. He also indicated Pyongyang would continue test-firing de facto long-range ballistic missiles.
　北朝鮮の朝鮮労働党中央委員会総会で、金正恩第１書記が、経済建設と並行して、核戦力を「質も量も拡大、強化する」という新たな戦略的路線を打ち出した。事実上の長距離弾道ミサイルの発射を続ける方針も示した。

The decision to strengthen both its economy and its nuclear arsenal was approved by the Supreme People's Assembly on Monday.
　経済建設と核戦力強化の“二兎(にと)を追う”路線は、１日に開かれた最高人民会議で追認された。

China loses face

Kim's decision made China lose face. China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, supported the U.N. resolution imposing sanctions on Pyongyang.
　常任理事国として対北朝鮮制裁決議に賛成した中国のメンツは、金第１書記につぶされた形だ。

China is North Korea's largest trading partner and aid donor. It also is a major supplier of energy.
　中国は、北朝鮮にとって最大の貿易相手国かつ援助国だ。エネルギーの供給元でもある。

The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is duty-bound to implement the sanctions resolution and apply pressure on North Korea by all available means. This would mean strengthening restrictions and monitoring the flow of money, goods and people, as well as halting the supply of crude oil and other steps.
　習近平政権は、制裁決議を確実に履行し、カネ、モノ、ヒトの移動の制限・監視を強化するのは無論、原油供給の停止など、あらゆる手段で圧力をかけるべきだ。

There also is concern that North Korea's rhetoric and actions aimed at intimidating the international community have become excessive, going far beyond conventional norms.
　国際社会を威嚇する北朝鮮の言動が、従来の次元を超えて過激になっている点も懸念される。

North Korea has torn up the armistice that halted the Korean War, and the country's supreme military command has said it will put its armed forces on the highest level of alert to ensure they are combat ready. The nation therefore has placed itself on a war footing, with Kim himself touring the front lines.
　朝鮮戦争の休戦協定の「白紙化」や、軍最高司令部による最高度の戦闘勤務態勢発令など、戦争前夜のような雰囲気を醸成し、金第１書記自らが前線を回っている。

Boasting of its nuclear weapons, Pyongyang even mentioned making preemptive nuclear strikes not only on South Korea but also on the U.S. mainland and Japan. By playing around with its nuclear arsenal, Pyongyang is acting extremely dangerously.
　核兵器保有を誇示し、韓国ばかりか米国本土、さらには日本への核先制攻撃にまで言及した。核を弄ぶ態度は危険極まりない。

The United States' unusual announcement on the participation of B-52 strategic bombers and its most advanced B-2 stealth bombers in joint military exercises with South Korea was meant to rein in North Korea.
　米国が異例にも、米韓合同軍事演習に米軍の戦略爆撃機Ｂ５２と最新鋭ステルス爆撃機Ｂ２を参加させたことを公表したのは、北朝鮮を抑止するのが狙いだ。

Japan and other nations concerned must keep a close eye on North Korea's behavior and make preparations to deal with any contingency.
　日本はじめ関係国は、北朝鮮の行動を注視し、不測の事態への備えに万全を期さねばならない。

Kim solidifying power

Behind North Korea's moves is Kim's apparent desire to solidify his power base as it has been a year since he was formally named successor to his late father, Kim Jong Il.
　こうした北朝鮮の動きの背景には、父の金正日総書記の死後、後継者に正式に推挙されて１年たった金第１書記が、権力基盤を固めようとしていることがあろう。

Only 30 years old, the inexperienced North Korean leader has trumpeted the nation's most recent nuclear test and missile launch as proud achievements. Little progress has been seen in reconstructing the country's failed economy. He probably has no choice but to strengthen his influence and authority as the top leader by pursuing a military-first policy through such means as further nuclear armament.
　まだ３０歳の経験不足の指導者は、核実験とミサイル発射を業績として喧伝(けんでん)している。破綻した経済の再建が少しも進まない。核武装の推進など、軍事最優先の「先軍政治」で求心力と権威を高めるしかないのだろう。

As a result, sanctions against North Korea have been strengthened, further isolating the country in the international community. Its efforts to diversify trade and invite investment are hardly likely to meet with success.
　その結果、制裁は強化され、国際社会で北朝鮮の孤立は深まるばかりだ。貿易多角化や投資呼び込みにも強いブレーキがかかる。

Kim should be keenly aware that the pursuits of nuclear armament and economic reconstruction are incompatible.
　核武装化と経済立て直しの両立はあり得ないことを、金第１書記は厳しく認識すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 2, 2013)
（2013年4月2日01時21分 読売新聞）